The UFC Fight Pass Invitational 8 goes down on October 10, 2024, and features a main event clash between Nick Rodriguez and Michael Pixley.
The UFC Fight Pass Invitational (UFC FPI) is set to return to action this Thursday with a quality card packed with elite no-gi talent. In the main event of the UFC Fight Pass Invitational 8, inaugural CJI tournament winner Nick Rodriguez will square off with surging Pedigo Submission Fighting talent Michael Pixley.
Rodriguez vs. Pixley
Undefeated in his last six appearances at UFC FPI, Rodriguez has established himself as arguably the sport’s top heavyweight grappler and one of the pound-for-pound best. The New Jersey native is renowned for his excellent takedowns and seemingly unstoppable body-lock guard passing – skills he used to score four straight submissions and win the $1 million prize at the inaugural CJI in August.
Rodriguez will face an interesting stylistic challenge in his return to competition because Pixley is one of the few athletes in the division who can match or even beat Rodriguez in the wrestling department.
Still just a purple belt in BJJ, Pixley has long been regarded as one of grappling’s most promising rising stars. He enjoyed a breakout performance at the 2024 ADCC World Championships where he took out former ADCC silver medalist Vinicius “Trator” Ferreira and tournament favorite Nicholas Meregali to earn a fourth-place finish.
Like Rodriguez, Pixley leans heavily on his elite takedown game, possessing a deep bag of tricks to bring the match to the mat on his own terms. But while Rodriguez tends to do his best work when he’s chasing the back, Pixley’s biggest submission threats come from his dynamic front headlock and d’arce game.
Canuto vs. Barch
Before the main event, veteran black belts Renato Canuto and PJ Barch will collide in a meeting between two of the sport’s most entertaining competitors.
Canuto is an IBJJF gi and no-gi world champion, a multiple-time ADCC veteran, and a recent CJI veteran. He boasts impressive wins over the likes of Nicky Ryan, Levi Jones-Leary (in the gi), and no-gi world champion Jeferson Guaresi, among others. An explosive athlete with a well-rounded skillset, Canuto is beloved for his aggressive style and high-flying attacks – including his trademark flying armbar.
Standing across from him will be 10th Planet representative Barch. While he comes from a deep wrestling background, Barch has evolved into much more than just a wrestler. At the 2024 ADCC World Championships, he defeated top talents Mateusz Szczecinski and Elijah Dorsey to claim bronze. He is an excellent takedown artist and back-taker, but over the past few years has developed one of the sport’s most dangerous leg lock games, particularly from the 50/50 position.
This won’t be the first time Canuto and Barch have faced off in competition. They first met in 2018 at Kasai Pro 3 where Canuto walked away with a narrow points victory. Their next match took place earlier this year at the PGF Worlds. This time around, Barch evened the score with a stunning heel hook finish.
The rest of the card at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 8
The remainder of the card is loaded with intriguing matches.
Pound-for-pound standout Dante Leon – Grappling Insider’s 2023 Male Grappler of the Year – will make his UFC FPI debut against all-action fan favorite Andy Varela. On paper, Leon holds a significant experience and accomplishments advantage, but he’d be unwise to look past the always dangerous Varela, who possesses the back-taking skills and front headlock game to change the match at a moment’s notice.
Also, IBJJF no-gi world champions Raquel Canuto and Gabi McComb will clash in a matchup between two of grappling’s grittiest athletes. Fans can look forward to no shortage of scrappy exchanges on the feet, as both women are talented takedown artists. The pace shouldn’t slow down at all once the match hits the canvas, with Canuto owning a relentless pressure passing game while McComb is an explosive submission hunter from all positions.
And in 155-pound action, decorated veterans Gabriel Sousa and Josh Cisneros will square off. A 2022 ADCC silver medalist, Sousa is a tireless guard passer who has spent the past six years competing at the highest levels of gi and no-gi BJJ. Cisneros, meanwhile, does excellent work with his trademark “black hole” series of attacks, which has proven to be a difficult puzzle to solve. This showdown will be a rematch of the pair’s 2021 gi clash that Sousa won on points.
View the full lineup of matches below. Note: this is not the official order of bouts.
UFC Fight Pass Invitational 8 lineup
Nick Rodriguez vs. Michael Pixley
Renato Canuto vs. PJ Barch
Isaque Bahiense vs. Ronaldo Junior
Raquel Canuto vs. Gabi McComb
Andy Varela vs. Dante Leon
Gabriel Sousa vs. Josh Cisneros
Pedro Falcao vs. Cristian Guzman
Johan Oosthuysen vs. Gabriel Almeida
How to watch: The UFC Fight Pass Invitational 8 takes place on Thursday, October 10, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and will air live on UFC Fight Pass (subscription required) beginning at 8:00 PM EST.
